Pau (AFP)
The Pau club has initiated a dismissal procedure against its New Zealand international opener Tom Taylor, accusing him of having, without authorization, left France during the confinement, the Béarn club announced on Sunday.
In a press release, the Section "noted on March 17, 2020 that Mr. Tom Taylor had left the national territory without any prior authorization from his employer even though all players were asked to remain at the disposal of the club and to respect government action in the fight against Covid-19 ".
"This personal decision, contrary to all the instructions which had been given by the club since March 13, is all the more illegitimate since it was not justified", continues the text.
The departure of Tom Taylor "put the team and all the staff in complete disarray since there was no information at the time when the championship could resume and it was therefore necessary that the players are all immediately available in the event of a resumption of activity, which all his comrades understood and respected, "he added.
Taylor, 31 and under contract until 2022, has played 10 Top 14 games this season as well as 5 European Challenge games.
The former All-Black (3 selections) arrived in Pau in 2016 after a season in Toulon. Following his departure and that of his compatriot Colin Slade, who left for Japan, the Section only has Antoine Hastoy and two versatile hope players, Thibaut Debaes and Bastien Tgayé, available as opener.
The National Rugby League (LNR) acted on June 2 the final cessation of the 2019-2020 season in Top 14 and Pro D2, without the title of champion of France, neither ascent nor descent between Top 14, Pro D2 and Federal 1.
© 2020 AFP